Building a Still at home ?

[Rotor]

Obviously for cleaning work surfaces and washing hands,
would be a nice little project ?
waits for comments like : Moon shine, Hazard county , potato peel , General lee, prohibition .... never even crossed my mind

Thought I should add that this is for a friend, as for some reason he suddenly seems to have some spare time

Edited by Rotor on Thursday 26th March 09:59

[gazza285]

What could possibly go wrong?

Boom

[guindilias]

It's not hard, I have one and it produces plenty of poitin at 98% ethanol - and apparently vegetable glycerine or aloe vera makes it into hand sanitiser, if you need.
Try homedistiller.org for plans - the only problem might be getting hold of small quantities of stuff like 40mm copper in small quantities, or a stainless keg as your boiler. Two kettle elements in it to run it, not really something you want to be doing in the kitchen!

[PositronicRay]

gazza285 said:

What could possibly go wrong?

Boom

That's the Leicester one, petrol and arson.

[Skyedriver]

I've a couple of books prepped by workers at Saudi Aramco during the 70's 80's which details the way to build and run such devices. I was given them by a work colleague (now deceased) about 20+ years ago. One day I will get around to following the instructions, for scientific and engineering purposes.

[Simpo Two]

You can get 100% alcohol very cheaply in bottles, and with a nice purple colour. But it's methanol not ethanol so don't drink it!.

[mercedeslimos]

Loads of Poitin stills in my locality. One person I know it's done over a wood fire like it always was.

[e600]

Skyedriver said:

I've a couple of books prepped by workers at Saudi Aramco during the 70's 80's which details the way to build and run such devices. I was given them by a work colleague (now deceased) about 20+ years ago. One day I will get around to following the instructions, for scientific and engineering purposes.

The blue flame? Had it or similar in Q8 in the early 80’s. Easy process to follow, make sure it burns clean leaving no residue and away you go.

[brycheiniog1]

Plenty on eBay for not much money..

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3-Pots-5-Gal-Alcohol-Di...

[guindilias]

Bought one of those, and to be honest, they are trash. Bean tin thickness boilers, a pretty useless worm, and horribly unbalanced. For that money you could build a really good still, with liquid or vapour draw-off points, digital thermometers where you want them, and temperature control.
It is a fair it of work, but seeing as you have time on your hands as we all do, it's a great project!